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Blazena Svitakova

Born Prague, 16 Oct 1940

3 facts1 source

Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.

Facts and their sources

  • Born16 Oct 1940, PragueTaken as verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 16 Oct 1940

    Born in Prague

  2. 14 Jun 1974

    A daughter is born

Family

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Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She has lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Prague.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1940s · Blazena is born in Prague

In the news1941

Theresienstadt ghetto created (1941)

The Nazi regime established the Theresienstadt ghetto, which became a transit site for deportations to extermination camps.

What people wore

Clothing Rationing and Mandatory Recycling

From 1939, citizens were issued non-transferable clothing ration stamps (šatenky) valid for one year, forcing widespread recycling, mending, and repurposing of old textiles, such as re-stitching clothes and rabbit hides. Authorities strictly limited household stocks, and one official was even arrested for hoarding items like 150 pairs of stockings and 27 suits.

Getting around

Travel time between Prague and Brno

In 1918, the rail journey between Prague and Brno took six hours, and even with later improvements, it took five hours by 1960.

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.Around the world · 1939–1945

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.

Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent · public domain

In the news1942

Heydrich assassinated (1942)

Czechoslovak parachutists assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, leading to brutal reprisals including the destruction of Lidice and Ležáky.

Music

Czech youth subculture and swing music

Czech youth during the Protectorate created a subculture associated with swing music and jazz dances like the cakewalk and shimmy.

Daily life

Cooking and food rationing challenges

Cooking occurred on traditional coal-fired ranges, and food shortages led to the use of artificial substitutes like synthetic fats and honey. Families often relied on rationing and black market bartering, such as trading a leather hat for scarce goods like meat or fat.